(Draft) Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon Reserve Management Plan

Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon - how do you want it managed and protected?

Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon is one of the largest freshwater wetland habitats remaining in the low plains of the Selwyn district. The lagoon is located near the Lincoln township in the Ararira/LII River sub-catchment of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

The Council is working with other groups, government agencies and the community to create a Reserve Management Plan to manage and protect the reserve.

Why is the lagoon important?

Yarrs Lagoon has important hydrological and ecological functions within the catchment, with numerous waterways and springs present. The reserve supports native swamp, forest and scrub vegetation that are now rare on the plains. The 76.89ha reserve is administered by the Selwyn District Council and is subject to the Reserves Act as a Local Purpose Reserve.

The wetland was originally reserved in 1905 as a sanctuary for native and imported game species, but the wildlife sanctuary status was later revoked in 1957. Over time, the wetland area has been reduced. Now the channelised Ararira/L II River, and a network of inflowing drains bisect the reserve.

More information on Yarrs Lagoon and the intention of the draft Reserve Management Plan can be found here.

Have your say

Council and members of the Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon Care Group are now preparing a (Draft) Reserve Management Plan for the lagoon, based on feedback from the community. The Council plans to ask for public feedback on the draft management plan in February/March 2019. Watch this page and the Council's Facebook page for updates.

For more information, email: reserves@selwyn.govt.nz.